Chapter 7 - The Fall Gathering Pt. II
Daryl and Emma were walking the property fence side by side. They hadn't spoken since Daryl had suddenly shown up on the dance floor. Although, they would both share a look from time to time that would send them into fits of laughter. Several people in the crowd had tried to speak to both Daryl and Emma as he guided her down off of the floor, but they had been so caught up in each other and the adrenaline of dancing so well together that they had barely noticed. Emma had her arm through Daryl's. It had been there since he had offered it to her after their dance was through. When the townspeople had seen the way Daryl held Emma's gaze as they walked down the steps together, they didn't dare interrupt them. It was very clear that they were in a world of their own.
Emma looked over at Daryl as they walked casually through the grass. He was wearing one of his many plaid shirts. The sleeves were rolled to the elbow. He wore red suspenders to match the red in his plaid shirt, which was tucked into a pair of denim slacks. Except for the foot, the boot was hidden beneath his pants. Emma could tell that he had put some effort into his appearance, but he was still himself.
"Where did you learn to dance like that?" Emma finally asked, breaking the silence.
Daryl met Emma's eyes. She was confused when his smile faltered. Though one corner of his mouth remained up, the other slowly fell.
"My mama started teaching me when I was ten." Daryl mumbled, running his other hand through the back of his hair as he looked ahead. "She said one of her sons should know what he was doing when it came to courtin' a young lady."
It became clear why Daryl's expression had dimmed and why he had opted out of dance lessons. Dancing was something close to Daryl's heart because of his mother. Emma realized that he must have been close with her for dancing to be such a painful memory. She was suddenly so much more appreciative that he had stepped in when he did. It had probably been very difficult for him to do, but he had done it for her.
"She would be proud of you." Emma murmured, looking out at the town as she and Daryl came closer and closer to the edge of the Grimes' property.
Daryl looked at Emma quickly out of the corner of his eye to see if she was looking at him. The coast was clear. He took his chance to get a good look at her. All of their dancing had freed several curls from her hairdo. They swirled around her face in the breeze. Her cheeks were still quite pink from all the exhilaration of being twirled and spun about the dance floor. The blush looked lovely against her pale skin. Daryl thought her skin reminded him of his mama's good dishes, the fine ones she had kept in a cupboard for special occasions.
"Can I ask you another question?" Emma asked, pausing at the edge of the property.
"What?" Daryl asked, letting go of Emma so that they could turn to face each other.
"Why did you come after all?" Emma asked, her hand on her hip.
Daryl swallowed. The truth was that he had come for her. He hadn't lasted long up at the farm without her being there and knowing she was having a good time elsewhere. Thinking of how beautiful she looked when she left and imagining her dancing with a young man at the gathering had driven Daryl crazy. He had paced the porch, arguing with himself about how stupid he was being. Skipper had watched him, his eyes moving back and forth as Daryl paced. After a while, Daryl decided to give in and go. He wasn't going to get any work done on the farm. All he was going to do was sit around and wonder what Emma was doing and when she would return.
As Daryl looked down at Emma, her eyes on his and waiting patiently for his reply, he couldn't admit all of that to her. It had already taken everything in him to ride into town for the gathering after insisting more than once that he wanted to stay put on the farm. After setting his horse up with the carriage Merle, Sam, and Emma had used, Daryl had searched for them. He didn't see any of them until he was drawn to the dance floor by the lively music and stamping feet. There, he had seen Sam dancing with a yellow haired girl. Daryl searched the other dancers' faces until his eyes fell upon Emma. She was dancing with a young man, although Daryl wasn't sure what the young man was doing could be considered dancing. He was stumbling and tripping over his own feet. Emma, on the other hand, was moving her feet quickly to the beat of the music. Daryl could tell she had been taught how to dance.
At first, Daryl felt an ugly beast rearing its head inside of him. He had never felt that emotion before as he watched the young man failing to keep up with Emma. Daryl felt like storming up onto that dance floor, grabbing that man dancing with Emma, and beating the tar out of him. He also felt like storming out of the gathering and going all the way back up to the farm after having just arrived. Then, the man was falling to the floor with a thud. Daryl stifled a laugh that nearly burst forth from his gut with a mind of its own. That laughter suddenly faded when Daryl saw Emma staring down at the man on the ground. There was something about the look on her face that tamed the beast. Emma didn't drop to her knees and fall all over the young man. Daryl recognized the expression she wore. Emma was annoyed.
Daryl saw the other dancers moving on. He knew what step came next. He knew the steps after those. Without another moment's hesitation, Daryl hurried up the steps and onto the floor. He moved to Emma's side and in an instant, he seized one of her hands for his own. With great ease, Daryl spun Emma to him. The moment her green eyes found his, he knew he had done the right thing by coming to her side.
"I came because of you."
"...we should get back." Daryl finally said, turning his head back to the gathering. "One of us has to keep an eye on Sam and the other on my brother."
Somehow, Emma wasn't surprised by Daryl's response. What could she expect? She had been on the Dixon farm for a little over a month, but Daryl had never once called her by name. He was used to how things had been since his parents and Mr. Graysmith passed away. It had been only Merle, Daryl, and Sam for many years. Daryl had obviously liked it that way. Emma was a deviation from the norm, and it was clear that that bothered Daryl, maybe even made him uncomfortable. Emma wasn't sure why he had broken protocol by coming to the fall gathering, but she assumed he had his own reasons. Maybe he had been worried about Sam. Emma knew Daryl cared about Sam as if he were his blood brother. Sam leaving the farm to attend a party was out of the norm, too. Maybe Daryl felt like if he kept watch over Sam, it would make him feel better about the whole thing. So, Emma didn't give Daryl a hard time about it.
"Okay." Emma replied with a nod.
Daryl and Emma walked back together, but Daryl didn't offer his arm to Emma like before. Nor did they turn to each other and laugh. They returned to the gathering in silence and parted ways without a second glance at each other. Emma went in search of Sam and Amy. She would leave Merle to Daryl.
"Emma!"
Emma turned to see Lori waving to Emma from where she sat near the desserts. Lorna Hawkins got up from her chair as Emma approached. They nodded at each other as they passed one another.
"Won't you have a seat?" Lori asked, motioning to the chair Lorna had been sitting in.
"Sure."
Emma sat down next to Lori.
"I was going to send a letter to the farm, but since you came today, I figured I could speak with you in person about all of this." Lori looked down at her belly, her hands following the curve of it up and down and back again.
"What is it?" Emma asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"I was going to offer you a job." Lori replied softly, looking up from her belly. "Rick and I have been talking for the past few weeks...and we think it would be best if we hired some help around here once the baby comes."
Emma was surprised by Lori's offer. She sat back in her chair and stared at the ground.
"I know you just got settled at the Dixon farm, but...well, Rick and I thought maybe you would be interested in work in town so that you could be closer to the Horvaths'...Clarke..."
Emma looked up from the ground to see Lori smiling gently at her. She meant no harm.
"Is something wrong, Mrs. Grimes?" Emma asked, slowly waving her hand towards Lori's belly.
"Oh..." Lori rubbed her belly once again. "Well, this pregnancy...well, it hasn't been as easy for me as my first was. I had violent morning sickness and have been practically bed ridden for the past few months. The only reason I was up and around today was because I promised Rick and Dr. Torrence that I would take it easy and let others help me if I felt tired."
Emma could tell by the way Lori's smile faltered every so often that she was more worried than she was letting on. Emma could appreciate that.
"I'm sorry to hear all that." Emma murmured sincerely, folding her hands in her lap.
"Everything will be back to normal once the baby comes this winter." Lori put more strength into her smile. "Now, Rick and I were hoping you would accept this job, but we don't expect an answer right away."
"Mrs. Grimes-"
"Call me Lori." Lori interrupted.
"Lori...I just...if you had offered me this job sooner, I would have gladly taken it, but..." Emma lifted her eyes and saw Sam and Amy sitting underneath a tree talking.
"I understand." Lori sat forward. "If you change your mind in the next few weeks, Emma, don't hesitate to send us word or come and call on us to discuss arrangements."
"Of course." Emma replied as Lori slowly heaved herself up.
"If you'll excuse me, I just want to check on Carl and make sure he isn't getting into any trouble." Lori stopped by Emma's chair to pat her shoulder gently. "I'm glad you came today, sweetheart."
Emma turned to watch Lori go.
0o0o0
The gathering was still in full swing around three when Emma thought she and the others should be going. She went to fetch the boys, leaving Sam for last so that he could have a few more moments with Amy. They hadn't left each other's sides since first meeting. Emma thought it was sweet. She could see how Amy could be good for Sam, and vice versa. Even if it didn't end in vows being exchanged, the romance would be beneficial for both of them. Sam needed that femininity in his life. Amy needed to find a nice young man to be happy with. Together, it was such a nice match that Emma felt dull for having not thought of it before.
As Emma searched for Merle and Daryl, she paused when she saw Clarke slowly walking through groups of people. He appeared to be looking for someone or something. Emma knew instinctively that it was her he was looking for. When their eyes locked, her gut feeling was confirmed when his eyes widened in recognition. Emma waited as Clarke made his way to her. He cleaned his eyeglasses twice on his trip over. Emma figured Clarke was embarrassed after he had fallen during their dance. Truthfully, Emma felt bad about it. Even though it had been fun having Daryl sweep her all over the dance floor, the fact was, it had been at the expense of Clarke's dignity. Emma didn't even know how long Clarke had remained on his rear on the floor. Had he remained there until someone pulled him away, or had he gotten up quickly after Daryl arrived on the scene? Emma decided she would apologize, that way, she would leave on a good note. She and Clarke could still be friendly.
"Emma, I..." Clarke put his glasses on. "I am so...so very sorry for embarrassing you."
"What?" Emma asked, tiny indentations appearing in between her brows.
"For..." Clarke cleared his throat. "For earlier. Falling."
"Oh my g...Clarke." Emma shook her head, her thumb and pointer finger on her brow.
"I know." Clarke muttered, hanging his head in shame.
"No." Emma removed her hand from her face. "Why in the world are you sorry? You didn't embarrass me. If anything, I'm positive it's the other way around."
"I don't understand." Clarke replied, it being his turn to be confused.
"I'm sure my continuing on dancing without you was quite embarrassing for you-"
"No, no." Clarke waved his hands and shook his head. "I was glad Mr. Dixon stepped in. He certainly saved what was left of your pride, and in doing so, he took the focus off of me. I was able to climb down from the floor without any fuss."
"Well, if that's how you see it." Emma shrugged. "Now, I really have to be going-"
"Please wait, Emma." Clarke stepped in front of Emma as she tried to go. "I wanted to speak with you sooner, but we weren't alone and then the dance..."
Emma put her hand on her hip.
"What is it?"
"Would you mind if we went somewhere more private?" Clarke asked.
Emma glanced around at all of the people still in attendance.
"Did you have somewhere in mind?" Emma asked, lifting an eyebrow.
"There are very few people over by the barn." Clarke offered his arm to Emma.
Emma accepted Clarke's arm. She walked with him towards the barn. He was right. There weren't many people near the barn. There were a few men talking twenty feet away or so, but other than that, Clarke and Emma were alone. When they reached the barn, Emma took her arm back and stood with her back to it.
"Now, what is it?" Emma asked.
Clarke reached for his glasses, but Emma raised a finger.
"Don't you dare, Clarke." Emma warned him gently.
Clarke chuckled nervously.
"There was something I wanted to ask you...something I wanted to ask you before you left town, but never got around to..." Clarke fiddled with his jacket cuff. "Well, I wanted to ask you a different sort of question before, but now, that question has changed...but the questions are still related-"
"Out with it, Clarke." Emma interrupted.
"Right." Clarke cleared his throat. "Emma, I...I wanted to ask you...I wanted to ask you to marry me..."
Emma's draw dropped. Of all the things Clarke could have asked her, that question had not even occurred to her. She thought maybe he wanted to ask her to come back to town, or even if he could court her, but marry him?
"I realize this might be a shock..." Clarke touched his glasses, but lowered his hand almost immediately. "I...I even had a ring picked out..."
"A ring?" Emma asked when she regained control of her jaw.
"Yes." Clarke nodded. "I have it at home...had I known you were coming..."
"Clarke..." Emma looked down at the ground, trying to come up with the right words to let Clarke down gently, but firmly so that he knew she was serious and that he should never ask again.
"Emma," Clarke took a step forward, "you've never beat around the bush with me before, please don't start now."
Emma wished she had pretended she hadn't seen Clarke before. She wished she would have just found the boys and gone after having said goodbye to the Grimes'. Emma liked Clarke. Even though he was a ball of nerves, she considered him a friend. He had been very kind to her, and even though his feelings from the start were romantic, he hadn't been lewd or crude. Clarke had never made her feel uncomfortable or made passes at her. She wondered if she should have put her foot down more firmly. She thought maybe she hadn't done enough to discourage his feelings. She felt somewhat responsible for the predicament she found herself in.
"Do you like me, Emma?" Clarke asked.
"Of course I do." Emma replied, lifting her eyes.
"Do you think I'm a good man?" Clarke asked, taking another step forward.
"Yes, but-"
"Emma, I would be good to you." Clarke reached for Emma's hands. "I would give you everything I have, which isn't much, but it would be yours."
"Clarke-"
Clarke laced his fingers with Emma's. She was taken aback by his bold behavior. It was the most forward he had ever been with her, but she didn't feel defensive. Emma knew Clarke was honorable. Even when he used her hands to gently pulled her towards him, Emma didn't feel the urge to pull away or to push Clarke from her.
"I know you don't need anyone, but you could rely on me if you ever needed to." Clarke's face was inches from Emma's. "If you accepted my hand, I would love you and cherish you for all the rest of my days."
Emma had never been kissed before, but she knew what it was and what it looked like. As Clarke slowly leaned in, his eyes half lidded behind his eyeglasses, Emma knew what he was doing. She watched with open eyes as his mouth came down upon hers. His mouth covered her top lip. She felt gentle pressure applied to her lip as he kissed her. Emma stared at Clarke's cheek, his eyes still closed. His lips kissed her top lip again before he moved down to cover both of her lips with his own. Emma felt nothing as Clarke kissed her. She didn't feel moved by his kiss. She didn't want to throw him off of her. She just stood with his mouth on hers, wondering when he would be finished and what he would say to her once he was through.
When Clarke finally pulled away after pressing several kisses to Emma's mouth, he took in her expression to gauge her feelings. He knew without a word being passed between them that Emma didn't feel the way he felt when their lips came together. As the realization came over him, Clarke felt his grip on Emma's hands going limp.
"I'm sorry, Clarke." Emma murmured.
Clarke smiled sadly, and Emma could have sworn she saw tears in his eyes. She couldn't be sure, because Clarke was suddenly leaning in to softly kiss her cheek.
"Goodbye, Emma." Clarke said quietly in her ear.
Emma stood by the barn as Clarke turned and headed back to the heart of the gathering. There had been so many ups and downs that day. Emma suddenly felt tired, which was unusual for her. She needed to leave.
Emma found Merle playing a faro game with several other men. Daryl was watching, but he wasn't participating. Sam was still glued to Amy's side. He was reluctant to leave her, but Emma reassured him that he could see her again the next time they were in town. So, Sam kissed Amy's hand and said goodbye for the day. Emma and the three boys headed for the carriage and Daryl's horse, Jim.
"Practically everyone is still here." Emma pointed out as Merle climbed up into the carriage. "We should water the horses in town instead of trying to get them to the trough here."
"That's a good idea." Sam agreed, helping Emma up into the seat.
"All right." Merle nodded, taking up the reigns.
Daryl mounted Jim and led the way into town.
"Did you have a good time today, Sam?" Emma asked, looking over her shoulder.
Sam was staring at the Grimes' property as they rode away from it. Emma couldn't see his face, but she knew he was probably smiling. She smiled to herself as she turned back around. As long as Sam had a good time, the day had been a success.
When they reached the community trough, Daryl was already there with Jim. He approached the carriage as Merle pulled up. Emma turned to climb down from the seat, but Daryl was at her side. She looked down at him as he slowly reached up for her. His hands settled on her waist as Emma set her hands on his shoulders, almost the same way they had been as they danced. Daryl gently swung Emma down from the carriage. As he set her down, Emma looked up into his eyes. She was reminded of his eyes the night he had caught her in the barn. Those dark blue eyes in the glow of the lantern light...
"Emma?"
Emma immediately lowered her hands from Daryl's shoulders as she looked over to see who had spoken her name. She vaguely remembered the carriage that had pulled up alongside Merle's. As she was searching her mind for the memory containing that carriage, a familiar face appeared beside it. It was Maggie Brooks, her husband at her side.
"Maggie." Emma stepped back from Daryl.
Maggie looked positively giddy as she looked from Merle's carriage to Daryl and Emma. She removed a glove to wipe one side of her mouth as she grinned amusedly.
"I had heard you went to live on the Dixon farm." Maggie walked towards Emma.
"Is that funny?" Emma asked, meeting Maggie halfway.
Maggie let out a quick laugh.
"Are you serious, dear Emma?" Maggie asked, placing one hand on her chest. "Of course it's funny. It's spectacularly hilarious."
"Forgive me if I don't see the humor in it." Emma smirked.
"Wait." Maggie held up her hands. "Don't tell me you're going to the Grimes' gathering?"
"No." Emma folded her arms over her chest. "We just came from there."
Maggie giggled, covering her mouth with her still gloved hand.
"I imagine you and your band of hillbillies were the laughing stock of the gathering."
Sam suddenly came to Emma's side.
"Is this lady bothering you, Emma?" Sam asked quietly.
"Just stay out of it, Sam." Emma murmured, turning her head towards him.
Maggie found the whole situation terribly funny. She giggled in Emma's and Sam's faces.
Merle was hovering around his horses, half listening to what was going on. He had put a pinch of tobacco in his cheek. When Glenn looked over at him in disgust, Merle hocked a brown lugy in his direction. Glenn hopped back as though the spit could have hit him from that distance. Merle grinned, brown spit dribbling down his chin.
Daryl was still standing by Emma's side of the carriage.
"Maggie..."
Emma started to tell Maggie to go away, but she suddenly noticed something else familiar. One of the two horses drawing Maggie's carriage was a black stallion Emma knew. It was the mighty Barrow she had left behind when she had been driven off of Hershel's land. Emma started for him, ignoring Maggie when she tried to continue poking fun at her and the boys. Emma walked right past Glenn, who simply stepped aside as she came through.
"Barrow..." Emma breathed, her heart swelling in her chest.
The moment Emma appeared in front of the horse, he was knickering in recognition. He lowered his head to Emma so that she could stroke his nose and scratch his ears. Emma looked into his human, brown eyes and felt as though she were back on Hershel's farm. Emma pressed her nose to his black hair and inhaled. He even smelled like the farm.
Emma was about to ask how Maggie was able to buy Barrow when she saw something that deflated her balloon heart. Along his backside, there were long, thin scars. Emma could feel embers burning like coals in her stomach as she went to where the scars marred his perfect coat. Hershel had never used a whip. Neither had Emma. That meant only one thing - that wretched thing and her pet husband were abusing Barrow. Emma ran her fingertips over the horse's raised scars. Some of them were still healing. The embers were igniting a fire.
"...away from my horse."
Emma hadn't realized Maggie had made her way over. She only saw red as she turned towards the witch standing at her side. Then, suddenly, Maggie was holding the left side of her face and crying out in pain. Emma was trembling, her hand raised. She realized she had struck Maggie across the face. Before she could fully comprehend what she had done, Emma was swinging the back of her hand at Maggie's face again. Maggie screamed out as she fell to the ground. Emma's knuckles pulsed after having collided with Maggie's cheekbone twice.
"You bitch!" Glenn shouted.
Emma looked up from Maggie's fallen form to see Glenn had raised his whip to strike her. Emma heard the crack of the whip as Glenn swung it back, but as it came forward, several things happened all at once. Sam bravely stepped in front of Emma to protect her should the whip reach her, but that was impossible. Daryl had his arm raised above his head. He had used his arm to block and absorb the whip. It was wrapped around his forearm like a snake. Meanwhile, Merle had grabbed Glenn by the collar.
"I know you wasn't about to strike my hire, were you?" Merle asked.
As Emma looked up at poor Barrow while Maggie screamed on the ground and her husband whimpered in fear, she couldn't take it. Emotions she had been holding back or burying since Hershel's passing all came rushing back over her. It was as if Hershel had died a second time, as if his farm had been seized a second time, as if Barrow was being whipped right in front of her as she stood by helplessly. She backed away from all that was happening, then she was running to where Jim was waiting for Daryl. Emma climbed up into his saddle and took up his reigns without hesitation. When she clicked to him, that was it. Emma urged him into a gallop. She wanted to get away from it all as quickly as she could.
Daryl didn't realize she was gone right away. After he discarded the whip, he turned to make sure she and Sam were all right. That was when he noticed Emma was no longer there. Daryl searched the immediate area until his eyes fell upon her as she climbed up onto his horse. Before he could move or say a word, she was taking off in the direction of the mountains.
"Emma..." Daryl murmured, watching Jim carry her away.
Daryl knew he probably couldn't stop her from leaving, but he found himself running after her all the same.
"Emma!" Daryl shouted as he ran. "Emma!"
Emma could hear Daryl calling out to her, but she kept riding. She rode out of Scarlet Town and up the path that would lead her back to the farm, the only place she had felt any sort of happiness since Hershel had died. That was where she needed to be.
0o0o0
The sound of the barn doors opening woke Emma from her sleep. She hadn't even realized she had fallen asleep until she was waking in the shadows. Her dress was in a heap on the loft floor. She was dressed only in her undergarments. Skipper was curled up beside her head. He lifted his when Emma sat up suddenly, awake and aware that the men were home. She ran a hand through her curls.
"Emma?" Sam's voice was below. "Emma, are you up there?"
"Yes." Emma replied, pulling her hair out of its messy bun.
"Are you decent?" Sam asked.
"Just give me a second."
Emma crawled to her trunk and pulled out her nightdress. She pulled it on over her head and fastening the buttons at the back.
"All right."
Emma heard Sam climbing the ladder up. He was carrying a lantern. The light followed him up into the loft, illuminating the ceiling above them.
"Emma, are you all right?" Sam asked worriedly, holding the lantern out.
"I'm fine." Emma murmured, folding her arms over her chest when her buttons were done up. "I'm sorry for leaving like that after having embarrassed all of you. It seems I've been pretty good at humiliating others today."
"You didn't embarrass us." Sam reassured Emma gently, taking a step towards her. "Was that lady one of Hershel's daughters?"
Emma nodded.
"She had no right talking to you that way." Sam's mouth became a firm line. "I wanted to slug her for saying all those things to you, Emma, but you know I'd never hit a woman."
"Are all of you okay?" Emma asked, changing the subject. "Daryl is probably bursting at the seams to yell at me for taking his horse and leaving him with you and Merle."
Sam looked down at the loft floor. Emma's arms fell to her sides. It was worse than she thought.
"What?" Emma asked warily.
Sam lifted his eyes.
"Daryl...he didn't come back with me and Merle."
"What?" Emma asked, raising her voice.
"He told me and Merle to go on without him." Sam explained slowly. "Merle said he wasn't leaving Daryl, but Daryl got real mad and told us to get. He said if he wasn't back by sunrise, to come back to town and get him."
Emma walked past Sam and yanked the lantern out of his hand. She started down the ladder, practically sliding down the whole way. She carried the lantern with her up to Merle's house as the sun finally settled behind the trees. She burst through the front door, ready to call out for Merle, but he was sitting in his chair by the fire. When Emma came through the door, Merle looked up, his pipe between his teeth. He grinned.
"Well, if it isn't our little runaway?" Merle took his pipe out of his mouth.
"Why did you leave him?" Emma asked, narrowing her eyes at Merle.
Merle's grin faded.
"If I remember right, it was you that took off on his horse." Merle replied, putting his pipe back into his mouth.
"Why did you leave him?" Emma snapped, ignoring Merle's previous statement, even though it was true.
"He said he had something to do." Merle shrugged.
"So?" Emma asked, throwing her arms out. "He has no way of getting back."
"Old Merle'll go back to town in the morning if he ain't back by then." Merle leaned back in his chair. "Go on back to sleep."
Emma set her jaw and stared at Merle for several more moments before she turned and headed back towards the barn. As she was walking back, she passed Sam. Silently, she handed him the lantern and gave his hair a tousle in apology for her behavior before. Sam smiled. Emma was instantly forgiven.
When she got to the barn, Emma had half a mind to change clothes, saddle up one of the horses, and return to town for Daryl. She was pacing the barn floor in front of the horse stalls considering all of her options when she stopped to ask herself why she was all worked up about Daryl being gone in the first place. He was a grown man. He could do what he wanted. If he had something in town to do, he had every right to stay there overnight and get it done. Why did Emma care? Even if Daryl wasn't back by sunrise, what did that matter? There was an inn he could stay at in town. Merle would go to town for him in the morning if he wasn't back. All would be well. Emma couldn't remember why she had gotten in a dither over the whole thing in the first place.
Emma settled down on her mattress to go back to sleep for the night, but it didn't come. She laid on her back staring up at the ceiling, thinking of all that had happened that day. First, there was Clarke proposing marriage to her. Emma could hardly believe it had happened. She thought of the kind and sincere words he had spoken to her, the way he had kissed her with probably every ounce of courage he could work up. Emma knew she had hurt him by denying his proposal. She saw the sad smile on his face in her mind. If that was what getting involved with men and being courted brought, Emma didn't want any part of it. Then, there was Maggie and Barrow. Emma closed her eyes when she thought of strong Barrow's pride being broken under a whip. It broke her heart into tiny pieces just thinking about his scarred backside.
There had been some goodness to come out of the day, namely Sam and Amy. Letting Clarke down and the altercation with Maggie Brooks had been worth it just for Sam and Amy. Emma was glad she had decided to take Sam to the fall gathering. She was glad she had pushed Sam to learn how to dance. She thought of him dancing with Amy, and then couldn't help but think of dancing with Daryl. Emma wasn't sure if it was the thought of Sam and Amy dancing or her and Daryl that had brought a smile to her face, but it was there.
It was early morning, still hours before sunup, when the barn doors opened. Emma sat up immediately. She still hadn't slept a wink since waking to Merle and Sam returning to the farm. Emma crawled towards the ladder, listening to the sounds below. She could hear Daryl's hushed voice and the sound of a horse clomping through the dirt. Emma was confused by the two sounds together. How could Daryl have returned on a horse if Emma had taken his?
"Daryl?" Emma finally spoke in the shadows.
Emma heard a stall door shut.
"Go back to sleep." Daryl replied from below. "It's still early."
"I haven't been to sleep." Emma said, ignoring Daryl as she started down the ladder.
"Jesus, it's too dark." Daryl hissed, his footsteps moving quickly away. "You'll fall down that ladder and break an arm or a leg."
Emma managed to climb down safely as Daryl lit a lantern and brought it over. She looked at him as he stood a few feet away, holding the lantern at his side. She could make out the features of his face in the shadows the lantern light cast all over the barn. He was looking at her, too.
"How did you get back?" Emma asked quietly.
Daryl used the lantern to motion behind Emma.
"I came on horseback." Daryl muttered.
Emma turned her head to look at the stall Daryl was motioning to. When she did, she slowly turned completely around to face the stall in disbelief. Standing in the stall one stall down from where she stood was a black horse she knew well. It was Barrow. Emma felt torn by whether or not she wanted to go to the horse and make sure he was real, or whether she wanted to address Daryl. She finally turned back around to face Daryl. He was still standing in the same place as before, but his eyes were on the dirt floor. If Emma didn't know any better, she would say he was embarrassed by what he had done.
"How..." Emma took a slow step forward. "Did you steal him?"
Daryl smirked down at the ground.
"Is that what you think of me?" Daryl asked.
"No." Emma shook her head and took another step. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."
Daryl looked up at Emma as she came closer.
"I only asked because I can't believe the Brooks' would have given him to you."
Daryl's smirk eased into a half smile.
"You'd be surprised what people'll do for a pretty penny." Daryl answered.
Emma turned her head to look back at Barrow, who was visibly close to sleep. She still couldn't believe he was there. Emma looked back at Daryl, who still hadn't moved.
"Why did you do this?" Emma asked.
"What do you mean?" Daryl asked, furrowing his brow.
"After how I acted before...taking off on your horse..." Emma shook her head slowly. "How could you possibly find it in your heart to do this for me?"
Emma closed much of the distance between herself and Daryl. She looked up at him, wishing it was daylight so that she could see his face more easily. Daryl refused to look into her eyes. He stared down at the ground, his jaw locked and his brow still creased.
"You should get some sleep." Daryl mumbled, turning to go.
"Wait."
Emma reached out and grabbed Daryl's hand. She thought of the times before then they had joined hands in a similar fashion. It was first when Daryl had caught her hand as she taught Merle and Sam to dance. Then, he had refused to become involved. At the fall gathering, Daryl had caught her hand and spun her around the dance floor. She preferred the second time to the first. Daryl had been more open, vulnerable even.
"Please tell me." Emma murmured in the shadows, keeping Daryl's hand in hers.
Daryl cleared his throat.
"After you left...Sam told me and Merle about Barrow." Daryl rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess you told Sam about him once before. It all made sense...why you got so upset when you saw the whip marks...so..."
"So?" Emma asked, urging Daryl to continue.
Daryl sighed and shifted his weight.
"I tracked them down after they ran off in their carriage. They were staying overnight at the inn." Daryl explained slowly. "I made them an offer for the horse. At first, they weren't interested, but I persuaded them a little...made them an offer they couldn't refuse."
Emma let go of Daryl's hand.
"You still haven't told me why." Emma said softly.
Even though she pointed that out, Emma knew Daryl wasn't going to tell her. As she looked up at Daryl, something came sweeping over her. Knowing that Daryl had stayed in town and used his own money to buy Barrow overwhelmed Emma's senses. Before she realized she was doing it, she was reaching out to place her hands lightly on Daryl's chest. She felt the warmth of his plaid shirt and the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest beneath her hands. Daryl was frozen beneath her touch. He didn't move a muscle. Emma didn't have to stand up too much higher to reach Daryl's mouth. Even though she had never kissed a man, seeing as how she hadn't returned Clarke's kiss earlier that day, Emma suddenly felt the urge to press her lips to Daryl's. As Emma got closer, Daryl's eyes followed her face. They flickered from her half lidded eyes to her parted lips. Emma felt she was close enough to Daryl to shut her eyes. Even when her eyes fluttered closed, Daryl kept his open so that he could watch her. Emma could sense him still watching her, even as she finally closed the very last bit of distance between them. Her lips found his. Emma felt her heartbeat take off and run away, much like she had done earlier that day when she had taken off on Daryl's horse. Daryl was still under her hands as Emma kept her lips upon his, waiting for his reciprocation.
After a moment, when Daryl didn't return her kiss, Emma had visions of Clarke kissing her by the Grimes' barn. Daryl wasn't kissing her back, just like Emma hadn't kissed Clarke back. That was all it took for Emma to return to her senses. She immediately felt like a fool as she pulled her lips from Daryl's. Kissing men wasn't like Emma. She wasn't herself. She didn't know who she had been in those moments her mouth had been against Daryl's. Emma stepped back from Daryl, who was still frozen to the spot. The lantern hung limply in his hand.
"I..." Emma breathed, covering her traitorous mouth with her hand. "I'm...I'm sorry..."
Without another word, Emma backed up into the ladder and scrambled up it as quickly as she could. She threw herself down on her mattress to ease the hard thud of her heart. As she laid there, trying to regain control of her breathing, she listened for Daryl's exit. For many minutes, Emma heard nothing. Then, she heard his footsteps in the dirt. She could have sworn that for a moment, the footsteps were coming towards the ladder. Emma knew she had to be wrong, though, because suddenly the barn doors were opening and then closing behind Daryl.
"Turpentine" - Brandi Carlile [Daryl and Emma walk together and talk]
"The Way The Whole Thing Ends" - Gillian Welch [The proposal, kiss, and denial]
"I Taught Myself How To Grow Old" - Ryan Adams [Emma rides out of Scarlet Town]
"Tennessee" - Gillian Welch [Daryl and Emma kiss]